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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 37(5)

Management of animal and plant pests in New Zealand – patterns of control and monitoring by regional agencies

Richard Clayton A and Phil Cowan A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.

B Corresponding author. Email: cowanp@landcareresearch.co.nz

Wildlife Research 37(5) 360-371 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR09072
Submitted: 10 June 2009  Accepted: 8 April 2010   Published: 11 August 2010

Abstract

Context. Significant resources are spent annually in New Zealand controlling pests to mitigate impacts on native biodiversity and agricultural production, but there are few reliable estimates of the benefits. Concerns have been expressed about inconsistent monitoring methodologies, differing frequencies and intensities of control across organisations, and poor definition of desired outcomes.

Aims. To conduct and report on a survey of animal and plant pest control and monitoring by regional agencies, to identify issues with current practice and to provide advice on improvements.

Methods. We surveyed 15 regional agencies in New Zealand about the pest control and associated monitoring undertaken during 2005–08. We recorded the pests targeted, the control work done and its operational details, any result and/or outcome monitoring conducted, and estimated costs.

Key results. About 21% of the NZ$20 million expenditure on pest control was for monitoring. Excluding compliance (62%), monitoring changes in pest populations accounted for 31% of the total monitoring expenditure, whereas only 7% was spent measuring response in the resource that was supposedly being protected. The most common monitoring design (71%) comprised a single treatment area with no non-treatment area, in which only results were monitored. Only three programs (4%) had both treatment and non-treatment areas and both results and outcome monitoring.

Conclusions. Such limited outcome monitoring constrains severely the ability of regional and local authorities to provide robust justification for their pest management activities and expenditures.

Implications. Improved outcome monitoring requires better design of and additional resources for monitoring programs, improved institutional/political support for long-term programs, and better definition of long-term outcomes and objectives for pest management.

Additional keywords: benefits, costs, experimental design, pest management, survey.


Acknowledgements

This project would not have been achievable without the help and patience of many staff in the regional and district councils, particularly Bill Martyn, James Lambie and Campbell Leckie, and the support of all the biosecurity managers. Ben Reddiex and Mike Harre (MAFBNZ) provided much helpful advice and guidance. Mark Fuglestad helped create the database. Guy Forrester and the late Greg Arnold provided statistical advice. Bruce Warburton, Chris Jones, Campbell Leckie and Henrik Moller commented on the manuscript, which was edited by Anne Austin. The project was funded jointly by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Envirolink program, a consortium of 15 regional and unitary authorities, and MAFBNZ.


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Appendix 1.  Pest animals under management by RUAs, with the number of operations in which they were specifically targeted
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Appendix 2.  Pest plants under management by RUAs, with the number of operations in which they were specifically targeted
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